Shikhar Dhawan announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from international cricket after a successful 14-year career. The Indian cricketer made the announcement on social media on Saturday morning. Dhawan's last appearance was leading Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 in April. With 24 international centuries to his name - 17 in ODIs and seven in Tests - Dhawan leaves behind a remarkable legacy in 269 matches.

"It's important to turn the page to move forward in life and that's why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket," he said in a video posted on his social media accounts. "I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played so long for India. I've told myself don't feel sad that you won't play for India anymore, but feel happy that you played for the country."

Dhawan retires as a modern ODI great, being one of only eight batters in the format's history with over 5000 runs at a 40-plus average and a 90-plus strike rate (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the other Indians in the list). He hasn't played for India since the ODI series against Bangladesh in December 2022.

While he played across formats in his prime, Dhawan's overall ODI numbers towered over his records in the other two formats, even though it was in Tests when he first burst onto the scene with a 85-ball hundred against Australia in Mohali, the fastest ever by a Test debutant.

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